A look at the money and people behind JD Vance points to tech billionaires as the real power in his orbit, which matters for how a future Vance presidency would govern.

• Peter Thiel built Vance's career early, bankrolling his Ohio Senate run, hiring him, and introducing him to Trump.
• Elon Musk is now the bigger force, having poured close to $300 million into the 2024 race.
• David Sacks acts as Musk's political operator and is close enough to Vance to be a likely chief of staff.
• A June 2024 fundraiser at Sacks's San Francisco home is seen as the moment tech money locked in behind Vance.
• The character read: Vance is a product of the meritocracy whose instinct is to please whoever is closest to him.

Outlook: Expect tech money to keep tightening its grip on Vance as he positions for a presidential run.